Burlington’s Han helps Varsity to fencing crown

The University of Toronto Varsity Blues won the 2011 Ontario University Athletics women’s fencing championship this past weekend (Feb 4-6) at Royal Military College of Canada. The Varsity Blues edged the defending champion Carleton Ravens for the overall title by a margin of 24 points. Toronto has now won three of the past four OUA women’s fencing titles.
Toronto’s Kelly Doyle (Troy, NY), who won gold in the individual sabre, was named recipient of the Dave O’Donnell trophy, awarded to the fencer most proficient in skill, style and sportsmanship. Teammates Julia Barette (Montreal) won silver in the individual épée, and Kristina Han (Burlington) took silver in the individual sabre, for the Varsity Blues. Toronto also took the silver in the team foil and gold in the team sabre en route to winning the championship banner.

The Carleton Ravens were led by Kelleigh Ryan (Ottawa) who won gold in the individual foil, Gillian Turnbull (Winnipeg) who took the bronze in the individual épée and Katrina Ross (Winchester, Ont.) who captured bronze in the individual sabre. The Ravens also earned gold in both the foil and épée team events.

Nicole Sapera (Edmonton) of the host team from RMC won silver in individual foil to help her team to third place overall. The Paladins were also the only team to earn medals in all three team events, taking the silver in épée, and bronze in foil and sabre.

Joanna Kolbe (Mississauga) from Ryerson University won individual gold in épée, while Anna Rogers (Calgary) from Queen’s University won individual bronze in foil.

Brock University is set to host the 2011 OUA men’s fencing championship on Feb.19-20.